Mis-diagnosis dyslexia

Mulberry_bush

Been lurking for a while hoping someone would have posted a similar problem but can't find anything on the internet that has been of any help with my problem.
I have a daughter who is now 16 and all through primary school, I was told she was doing well and achieved all her levels appropriate to he age. I.e. in reading, writing, maths etc. however when she got into year five the teacher said she thought my daughter was dyslexic! This came as a big shock as 1) we did not feel she was -saw no signs of dyslexia and 2) up to that point no other teacher raised any concerns. Upshot was she was tested by education psychologist and diagnosed with dyslexia and was in fact 2 years behind peers.
Fast forward a year layer and ofsted inspect and give the school an appalling report - failed in everything and said there was no attainment at the school. School was closed down a year later!
On that basis we moved out daughter to a new school who stated that daughter is in fact 4 years behind peers.
Fast forward 2 years and at secondary school who has failed to acknowledge my daughters dyslexia and not providing support.
After 2 years of fighting the system, I was called into a school meeting and told that the school thought there was something wrong with me as they did not think my daughter had dyslexia and if I did not stop harassing them they would refer us to social services as I may be suffering from Munchausens. I asked how this is possible when they have the psychologists report which states she is dyslexic. They informed me that they do not, nor never have had the report as it was not passed o to them when daughter joined school. It was agreed that daughter would be assessed again with the view of proving to me that she was not dyslexic.
It took me a while to track down original psychologist but did and got copy of report which I handed into the school, now the problem is that they will now not assess my daughter and will not speak to me about it. I know do not know if daughter is dyslexic or not.
This has had a huge effect on my daughter who was devastated when first diagnosed and has never came to terms with the 'label'. It also meant that she had to repeat a year and is older than her classmates which has brought other difficulties. It has lowered her self esteem etc i could go on and on,,,,,
Thing is what can I legally do about this as I am getting no where with the school

pigpen

Dyslexia or not if the school are happy with her progress there is nothing you can do. What are her test/teacher assessment results like? Is she actually below average? Not all children are Mensa material and many people pefectly normal lives with low intelligence. I'd be wondering if her lack of progress (if there even is one) was more to her lack of enthusiasm than lack of ability.

I can't see why she would have been held back a year. My son has severe dyslexia and other difficulties and was given support for his needs within his year group. I have never known a child be held back a year even with severe additional needs.

If you are concerned you can get the dyslexia institute to assess her as an independant body, it is a bit pricey though. The school do not have to accept a report from them but most do but follow it up with their own assessment.

I'd be demanding she was in the correct year group for her age as a starter. I'd also look into a tutoring service see if you can boost her achievements.. if the school won't you can.. some do group tutoring at reduced cost, as I am fully aware how expensive some tutors are. There are online tutorials she could do or PC programmes you can buy. It seems a bit odd for anyone to have left her 6 years if she is struggling.

Mulberry_bush

She is behind but that is because she had to repeat a year (at the insistence of her new school who said she was 4 years behind) so she will always be a year behind as she is learning a year behind her age.
She is an intelligent girl and hopes to go to Oxford and she does not want a dyslexic labelling following her into uni. So what we would like to know is is she dyslexic or not

Mojisola

Mulberry_bush wrote: »

She is an intelligent girl and hopes to go to Oxford and she does not want a dyslexic labelling following her into uni. So what we would like to know is is she dyslexic or not

Get her to google for famous dyslexics and see whether the label held them back!

We paid for a test from one of the national dyslexia organisations. It was worth the money because it went through every aspect of reading, writing and comprehension and highlighted the particular things that he was finding difficult and also the areas where he was well ahead of his peers.

If the school isn't willing to test her, then either get one done yourself or accept the school's assessment.

If she doesn't want the label and the school doesn't accept it, why are you pushing for it?

onlyroz

I don't personally see the problem with such a "label" and it can often lead to (e.g.) being given more time in exams - and a good university will also take this into account. I went to one of the UK's top five universities, and I know some of my peers were given extra time right through to their final year exams due to their dyslexia.

I think it's important to get a correct diagnosis though, if there is any doubt.

bestpud

Mulberry_bush wrote: »

She is behind but that is because she had to repeat a year (at the insistence of her new school who said she was 4 years behind) so she will always be a year behind as she is learning a year behind her age.
She is an intelligent girl and hopes to go to Oxford and she does not want a dyslexic labelling following her into uni. So what we would like to know is is she dyslexic or not

What a mess!

It is incredibly difficult to get an assessment if the school are fighting you all the way.

If I were you I'd pay for a private assessment but be careful as some are more reputable than others.

The school don't have to accept it (and it sounds like they won't) but it would at least inform you and let you know which path to take.

You have already proved you weren't making up the dyslexia so don't worry about any threats they make.

I'm not sure why you are all so devastated about dyslexia - it's no barrier to HE - indeed there is far more support in FE and HE and definitely no stigma.

Your daughter's low self esteem and overall progress will be far more relevant for an Oxford application.

Have you written to the school or had anything in writing from them? I'd ask for everything in writing from now on.

aliasojo

Mojisola wrote: »

If she doesn't want the label and the school doesn't accept it, why are you pushing for it?

Not sure that's what the OP is doing?

It sounds to me like she's pushing for clarity more than anything else?

bestpud

Mulberry_bush wrote: »

She is behind but that is because she had to repeat a year (at the insistence of her new school who said she was 4 years behind) so she will always be a year behind as she is learning a year behind her age.
She is an intelligent girl and hopes to go to Oxford and she does not want a dyslexic labelling following her into uni. So what we would like to know is is she dyslexic or not

I don't want to cause offence but how do you know she is intelligent?

Not from her progress at school, surely?

Mojisola

aliasojo wrote: »

Not sure that's what the OP is doing?

It sounds to me like she's pushing for clarity more than anything else?

In that case, a private test is probably the only way.

There's plenty on the web about the basic problems, eg
https://www.dyslexia-inst.org.uk/what.htm
https://www.dyslexic.org.uk/aboutdyslexia3.htm

Mulberry - can you see these things in your daughter?

bestpud

What strengths and weaknesses are mentioned in her initial assessment report?

Do they tally with the info given in the sites Mojisola has posted links for?

pmlindyloo

As an ex teacher I find it totally unacceptable that having been given a report which says your daughter is dyslexic they are refusing to do anything about it.

Have you been talking to the Head of the Special Educational Needs Department?

You need to make an appointment to see him/her.

Since you are having difficulty with the school, may I suggest that you meet with the ' I know we have had problems in the past but can we please start again and look at my daughter's needs?'

If they refuse to do anything or give you an appointment then you need to write to the school governors. You can further escalate this by writing to your local education authority, then MP.

You need to do this one step at a time and give each 'body' time to respond.

Other advice about using the Dyslexia Institute, private assessment and tutoring is all good advice.

The Dyslexia Institute will probably be able to give you the names of some specialist dyslexia tutors in your local area.

Since you say your daughter is 'behind' for her age, private tutoring (if you can afford it) may be a good idea anyway.

As you have found, having a label and being 'behind' in relation to her peers can have a devastating effect on some children, particularly secondary aged children.

A good tutor will help her regain her confidence and be able to show her that dyslexia does not mean that you are 'thick' (because that's what she will think) but have specific problems that intelligent people can have.